Forge World has the most unique Warhammer models out there, but their August price hike and subpar rules have started to take their toll.
Forge World and Games Workshop go hand in hand in terms of business. But does Forge World need to go back to the way things used to be of good solid rules, and semi-affordable luxury prices?
Let’s be honest, only a huge drop in sales will even merit that sort of consideration from their board of directors, one former of which just cashed out 20 million GBP in stock as GW’s value spiked.
But we can always dream of a bigger, better Forge World with rules and prices that would make us want to buy from them again.
Check out our ideas for three things that could be changed for the better:
Ways To Make Forge World Great Again
Regional Pricing & the Overnight Price Hike
Back before their price change, most people thought Forge World was expensive enough. It also took forever to get your shipments in because of the whole international shipping/customs thing. Then, Forge World announced that the U.S was getting a Forge World warehouse and that shipping times would be drastically reduced.
That’s exactly what happened! They just forgot to mention the overnight 20%+ price jump on every model they make. Forge World has some beautiful models out there and is even the main producer for minis in Horus Heresy. It really hurt the community’s morale to see already expensive models jump even more. That could’ve been the final nail in the coffin for a new hobbyist wanting to get into 30k.
Drop the prices down to where they were and promote the fast shipping, it may just be enough to entice hobbyists to release the clutches on their wallets a little bit more.
Points Reduction on Forge World Models
Back in 7th edition 40k, most Forge World models across the board were VERY good. Now, it seems like in 8th edition, someone would only bring Forge World because they like a certain model, or for exclusive characters that GW doesn’t make.
Bottom line, Forge World’s units are egregiously overcosted when you compare them to other things that GW makes. For example, a Leviathan Dreadnought with a storm cannon array/siege claw is 331pts. Meanwhile, a Knight Gallant is 354pts. Bring down the points!!!
For just 23pts more, someone can bring a Lord of War with almost double the wounds, quadruple the damage output, and codex support. Which brings us into the next change that would really help…
Think about this, we are basically playing with INDEX Rules for all Forge World models, 1-1/2 years after the launch of 8th Edition. Is GW’s focus is on selling Forge World models, and not supporting them?
Forge World Exclusive Stratagem Support
To help Forge World units keep up with codexes, it would be nice for Forge World to release a small book with one or two unique stratagems that units could do. It would give more incentive for people to shop at Forge World and to field their models. The only way a player would be able to use these stratagems would be to bring a Forge World model.
Dreadnoughts do have the Relic of Ancient Glory stratagem that lets friendly ASTARTES units reroll failed hits in the fight phase for a whopping 2cp. Translation: it’s not going to be used…ever. Forge World already prints the Imperial Armor indexes.
It wouldn’t be that hard to have a small booklet come out full of just a few stratagems for some key units (as we’ve said before). It makes sense that Forge World units should be better and cost less. Older armor patterns (i.e Contemptor/Leviathan Dreadnoughts) are from a time before the recession of technology.
We do know that the Talons of the Emperor book is “coming”. Maybe we can luck out and Forge World will have some kind of new concept in there that makes Forge World more relevant.
What do you think Forge World should do to be more prevalent on the table? Would you like to see a points drop? Do you prefer the way Forge World models look over GW minis? Let us know in the comments on our Facebook Hobby Group.
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at the Las Vegas Open, each of which attracts thousands of players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the 2011 Adepticon 40k Team Tournament. He was even featured for his painting in issue #304 of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf Magazine.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
